The next five months were rough for the family of five fixing to be six. Avery had finally settled into their routine, and Fi was ready to pop. Her belly had grown large, and with it, the anticipation and excitement of a new addition to their family. Sam had taken on more responsibilities around the house, trying to ease Fi's load as much as possible. He made breakfast for the kids every morning and helped them with their schoolwork. Sam and Michael, despite his own busy schedule, made sure to spend quality time with Charlie and Avery, knowing how important it was for them to feel secure and loved. Sam and Jesse were meeting a client. Michael was attempting to help the boys with homework when Fi wide eyed walked into the kitchen.
"Boys I need to get your school stuff and go over to the neighbors now please."
The boys nodded and started packing their stuff quickly. Mike was over by her in a second.
"What's going on?"
"My water broke."
Michael's eyes went wide as the boys shut the door,
"Okay, I'll call Sam and tell him to meet us." Michael said as the two of them headed to the car.
Michael waited as the call was going through and finally Jesse answered.
"I need to talk to Sam now."
"Well it's gonna be difficult Mike with Sam unconscious and me swerving through traffic to Jackson memorial."
"What happened?" Mike whispered, looking over at Fi who had put her earbuds in listening to the playlist they made, concentrating on breathing more than his conversation.
"Car accident, we were on our way back, some drunk ran the red light and hit Sam's side."
"Is he okay?"
"Couldn't feel his legs before he lost consciousness, we just pulled up to the hospital gotta go."
"Be there soon."
He looked over at Fi, he squeezed her leg. She looked over, pulling the buds out.
"Michael what's wrong, we have to get to the hospital."
"It's…" His voice cracked and gave out.
"What?"
"Sam… him and Jesse were in an accident Sam took the brunt of it."
"Oh my God, is he—"
"They're at the hospital now. He… he couldn't feel his legs, Fi, before he lost consciousness."
"No… No, this can't be happening. We have to get there now!"
Michael nodded, and took off as they raced to the hospital as Fi was reminded that she was in labor. Michael reached over, squeezing her hand. Soon they pulled up, Michael getting out, yelling at the doctors on break outside,
"I need help, my girlfriend is in labor!"
Soon Fi was inside and in a room with a grown on, Dr. Petrenko soon came and said it would be a while.
"Michael, will you go find Jesse to check on Sam?" She sobbed.
Michael nodded, not used to seeing Fi crying he just did as he was asked and got up kissing her forehead and quickly calling Jesse.
"Where are you two?"
"Second floor, as soon as you walk off the elevator I'm in the waiting room."
It didn't take long for him to find Jesse, coming to sit beside him
"Anything?"
"No.."
They sat there in silence for another ten minutes before a doctor in scrubs came in.
"Family of Sam Axe?"
Michael and Jesse stood.
"That would be us."
"I'm Dr. Reynolds."
"How is he?" Michael said.
"Stable, he should be waking up soon."
"And his legs, he said he couldn't feel them before he lost consciousness." Jesse asked.
"His X-ray showed a fracture in his lower spine. We're still assessing the extent of the damage, but the lack of sensation in his legs is concerning."
Michael swallowed hard, his voice tight.
"Is it… is it permanent?"
"We can't say for certain yet, We'll need to conduct more tests, but for now, he's awake and wanting to see Mikey and Fiona?" Dr. Reynolds replied gently.
"I'm Mikey. " Michael said.
"Right this way."
Michael turned toward Jesse.
"Will you go check on Fi? I'll be there after I talk to Sam."
Jesse nodded, as Michael followed him. He followed Dr. Reynolds led him to Sam's door, before leaving him for another emergency. He knocked on the door,
"Fi?" Sam asked.
Mike pushed it open.
"Sorry Sam, it's me." He whispered.
Sam was lying in the hospital bed, his eyes barely open as he struggled to stay conscious. He turned his head slightly toward Michael, his voice breaking as he spoke.
"Mike…"
Michael quickly moved to his side, trying to hold back his emotions.
"I'm here, Sam."
Sam attempted a weak smile but couldn't hide the pain in his eyes.
"Did the doctor tell you? my legs, Mike… I can't feel them."
He sat beside him,
"Yeah, they told me. But listen, Sam, this is just the beginning. They're going to do more tests, figure out exactly what's going on. We're not giving up, alright?"
"Where's Fi?"
"She's in here too, she's in labor but Dr. Petrenko said it would be a while."
"I'm scared, Mike. How am I going…What if… How am I going to be a good dad if I can't walk again? "
Michael squeezed Sam's hand, his grip firm and unwavering.
"No matter what happens, you're not alone in this. We'll handle whatever comes our way, together. One step at a time. And as far as being a good dad? As long as you're there like you are for Charlie and Avery. You're already doing it right. They need you, Sam. And we're going to make sure you're there for them, no matter what."
Sam let out a shaky breath, his fear still present but slightly eased by Michael's words.
"Mike… I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You don't have to think about that. We're not going anywhere." Michael replied softly.
Jesse found Fi's room, knocking before going in.
"Sam? Michael?" She turned toward the door.
"Sorry just me."
"How's Sam? Where's Michael?"
"Sam's okay." Jesse said not wanting to be the one to tell her.
He walked further into the room, his expression softening as he approached Fi. Fi let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"That's a relief." she said quietly, her gaze shifting to the window.
"And Michael?"
"He's with Sam." Jesse replied, pulling up a chair beside Fi.
"He said he would come and check on you after."
Fi nodded, understanding.
"I want to go see him."
Jesse gave a small smile.
"How about I go check with a nurse and see if we can get you down here?"
Fi returned the smile, and nodded, wiping tears away. Michael watched Sam as he looked at his legs. He squeezed his hand, as Sam looked at him with tears in his eyes. Michael looked down at his phone as a text came through. Sam saw this.
"What? Is Fi okay?" He whispered.
"Yes, she wants to see you," Michael explained, his tone reassuring.
"Well they won't let me move."
"Jesse is going to speak with Dr. Petrenko." Michael whispered, squeezing his hand.
Sam squeezed his hand back, not letting go saying,
"Hand me my bag." Pointing to it.
Michael got it, handing it to him. Sam opened it looking inside, finding two boxes one blue and one black. He put the black box back in the bag, sitting the bag in the chair beside him and took the blue one, his hands trembling slightly as he opened it. Michael squatted down next to Sam, his heart racing as he watched him pull out a glimmering ring from the blue box.
"Sam, what are you doing?" He asked, a mix of confusion and excitement in his voice.
Sam took a deep breath, looking into Michael's eyes with determination.
"I know things are different for us," he began, his voice steady despite the nerves.
"But you make everyday worth it. I don't want to wait any longer."
Michael felt his heart swell as he realized what was happening.
"Sam…"
"Michael," Sam said, cutting him off gently,
"Will you promise to be by my side, no matter what? I want to face everything together."
As he held the ring between them, Michael's breath caught in his throat.
"Of course, I will."
With a joyful smile, Sam slid the ring onto Michael's finger. The moment felt electric as Michael kissed him, Sam broke the kiss resting his forehead against Mike's forehead as he was looking at it.
"Is mine prettier than Fi's?" Michael asked.
"I hope so, She picked it out for herself. She just didn't know I was paying attention. About a month before you came back, we were shopping and we walked by the store and she just stopped. I played dumb and complained about how hot it was, and she came on but I saw the way she looked at it."
"Let's give it to her." Michael whispered.
Sam got it out of the bag about that time Fi's doctor and two nurses rolled in with Fi, Fi looking emotional and scared. Sam and Michael looked at one another confused, he rested his left hand on Sam's shoulder squeezing it. Sam grabbed ahold of it and held it as he asked,
"What's wrong? Fi, you okay?"
"She's ready to push. I think her worry about you has speeded things up." The nurse said, as she wheeled her towards the bed. "Sorry about this Fi but we need to get you on the floor." The nurse said as she realized the room's patient couldn't be moved and there wasn't time to go anywhere else.
Without wasting another moment Fi gets out of the wheelchair. They move Fi closer to the bed so Sam could take ahold of her hand. She's breathing heavily, beads of sweat dotting her forehead, but her eyes are focused, determined. Fi's gaze shifts to Sam. Her face softens momentarily at the sight of him, a small flicker of relief amidst the pain. Michael quickly moves to her other side Sam, despite his own weakened state, reaches out toward Fi. Fi grabs ahold of it, squeezing it. Michael gently rests his hand on Fi's back, his thumb brushing comforting circles holding onto the other.
"Fi, on the next contraction, I need you to push as hard as you can." The doctor said, suddenly appearing.
Fi nods, closing her eyes for a moment to gather her strength. When the contraction hits, she bears down with all her might, a scream escaping her lips. Michael and Sam are right there, their presence anchoring her, their hands a lifeline she holds onto with everything she has. Seconds feel like hours as Fi continues to push, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Michael murmurs words of encouragement, his voice a steady rhythm in her ear. Sam's gaze never wavers, nor his grip on Fi's hand. And then, amidst the pain and the strain, there's a sudden, overwhelming sense of release. A new cry fills the room, high and clear, piercing through the tension like a ray of sunlight breaking through clouds. Fi's body relaxes, and tears fill her eyes as she hears the sound of her baby's first cries. Michael's hand tightens on her shoulder, his own eyes glistening, while Sam lets out a shaky breath, his face pale but filled with relief. The doctor gently places the newborn on Fi's chest, Michael watches in awe, his breath catching at the sight. Sam, overcome with emotion, rests his head back on his pillow, tears streaming down his face as he watches Fi, their baby girl. Fi, overwhelmed by the moment, starts crying too, her heart swelling as she looks over at Sam. He looks at her, their eyes meeting in a shared moment of pure love, and he wants to lean in to kiss her so badly. Together, they gaze down at the tiny, wriggling bundle in her arms,
"Do we have a name?" the doctor asked.
"Madeline Grace Axe." Sam whispered, looking at Michael.
"Perfect, I'll go get her birth certificate ready." She said, as she left.
Michael's breath hitched, and tears fell from his eyes when he heard his daughter's name. Michael leaned closer to look at her. Sam couldn't reach them now Fi was curled around the baby. So Michael picked Fi and the baby up and put them on the end of the bed.
"She's beautiful." He whispers, his voice thick with emotion.
"But we are going to use Grace."
Fi nods, her throat too tight with emotion to speak. Sam sighs, emotion in his throat watching the two of them. He doesn't know where to start
"Fi," Sam begins softly, his voice trembling slightly.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Fi looks up, her heart full but her senses alert to the shift in Sam's tone.
"What is it, Sam?" she asks, her voice gentle but filled with concern.
Sam takes another deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"The accident that Jesse and I were in….." Sam's hand shook as he took a breath.
"Yeah?"
"I'm paralyzed from the waist down." Sam finally said, the words heavy and final.
"What?" Fi sat up gently with Grace in her arms, shock in her voice and eyes.
Sam didn't say anything, just looked away. Michael came over to the same side as Sam,
"Fi," Michael began gently, sitting down beside her, on the bed. He placed a hand on her knee, his touch warm and reassuring.
"I know this is a lot to take in, and it feels impossible right now."
"Michael... he's paralyzed. How... how are we supposed to—"
"Listen to me," Michael interrupted softly, but firmly, looking between the two people he loved.
"Sam needs you right now. He needs both of us. I know this changes everything, and I know it's terrifying, but we have to be strong for him, for Grace, for each other with time and patience. And love.
Lots of love. Besides, they're going to do some tests soon as they don't know what's going on, so it may be temporary."
"Give her to him." She whispered.
Michael gently took Grace, and placed her on his chest. She stirred, her little face scrunching up before she relaxed again, soothed by the steady rhythm of Sam's heartbeat. Sam's breath hitched as he looked down at his daughter,
"She's perfect," Sam whispered, his voice thick with tears.
Michael wished either of them could move, so it could be more special. There was a knock on the door and the doctor walked in, smiling at the sight.
"How is baby Grace?"
Neither Sam or Fi said a word, just lost in watching her.
"She's perfect." Michael whispered, getting up, shaking her hand.
"Well mom and baby are great, they are ready to go home."
Sam looked up at that, anxiety settling in. Grace started fussing, sensing it.
"Sam, she can sense fear." The doctor whispered.
Sam's anxiety eased a bit as he took in the doctor's words, his fear of the unknown giving way to a cautious hope. Fi, though reluctant to leave his side, trusted Michael to be there for Sam while she returned to her room with Grace.
"Thanks, Mikey," Sam said quietly, his voice tinged with both gratitude and uncertainty. Michael gave him a reassuring nod before Sam was wheeled away for his MRI.
As Sam was taken for his scan, Michael made his way back to check on Fi and Grace. He found them settled in their room, Fi holding their newborn daughter close. The sight of them brought a sense of calm over Michael, a reminder of the love and strength that had carried them all through so much. Fi looked up as Michael entered, her eyes searching for any sign of how Sam was doing.
"He'll be alright," Michael said softly, crossing the room to sit beside her.
"He's in good hands."
Fi nodded, though the worry in her eyes didn't completely fade.
"I just want him to be okay."
"We all do," Michael replied, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.
"And we'll get through this together, just like we always have."